Meet the caring and selfless woman helping people out in her Reading neighbourhood

Kathy Walsh, 70, has been praised for being a caring and selfless woman fore her neighbours and others in Zinzan Street and beyond. Credit: Karen Jordan

A West Reading woman’s selfless dedication to helping people in her neighbourhood has earned her a Pride of Reading nomination.

Pensioner Kathy Walsh, 70, from Zinzan Street, could walk away from this year’s glitzy ceremony clutching the Community Champion crown after being put forward for the accolade by Councillor Karen Rowland.

Councillor Rowland, 56, who also lives in Zinzan Street, said: “Kathy deserves to win this award for her selfless devotion to her neighbourhood where she's lived since 1967. I’m nominating her on behalf of many of the people in the neighbourhood over the years that are always telling me ‘That lady should get an award for all she does’.

"From sun up to sun down, Kathy is always out helping people. She never ever sits still and is always, always on the go - off to help someone or to buy some food for someone, cleaning out a neighbour's bin, picking litter off the street, doing folks' laundry that can’t do their own, etc - all on a pensioner's salary.

"Kathy was overwhelmed when I told her that she'd been nominated for an award.

"Her heart is just so good that she is always very emotional and frequently tears up and starts crying, especially when she starts talking about people she helps.

"She's that good of a person, and it is for that great wonderful, caring, community heart that she deserves this award more than anyone I can possibly think of.

"She is the epitome of a Community Champion - one that is quite unsung but the essence of what the award is for.

"As a councillor, my role is to serve people. I can't think of anyone better to look up to as a role model than someone that cares like Kathy does.

"This nomination is heartily endorsed by both other local Abbey Ward councillors Cllr Tony Page and Cllr Mohammed Ayub."

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When told of her Pride of Reading nomination, an emotional Miss Walsh said: “There are many others that do more than me. I'm not worthy. I just help where I can. It keeps me busy, you know?"

On what made her decide to devote so much of her time to helping people, she said: “I've been doing little bits since 1967, and it just got bigger and bigger. I see a need and I know it has to be done. I don't know how many people I've helped over the years. You just try to make things better.

“People are just very pleased and they appreciate it. I help old people in the neighbourhood, especially those who don't have any others to help them.

“Recently I'd been helping an elderly man that passed on a few weeks ago. I brought him a cup of tea. He told me that a cup of tea from Kathy was better than any cup of tea from the council people. He didn't want their tea but he took the one I got for him. I do what I can. I see a need and I go and try to help.”